What Is a Car Immobilizer System?

We have asked our team of specialzed mobile locksmiths in Orlando, consulted with other locksmiths in the area, and held a couple of meetings with local dealerships. This what we came up with. A car's immobilizer system is basically an anti theft system located in the engine ECU that prevents cars' engines from running unless the correct transponder key is present.

It is an electronic security system in almost every modern car that does not require manual activation since it is active from the time the key loses contact with the engine module.

There are several versions of immobilizers with very similar principles: the infrared remote command, the keypad, the transponder key and the coded card. All these systems, when activated, will result on a steering wheel lock and a shutdown of the engine start system.

This system involves three integral parts in order to work. This includes:
 

• A special, sucured coded key or smartkey fob
• The transponder chip, which is located in the key
• The engine control unit (ECU)

Did you know that car immobilizers have been mandatory on all cars since 1998? This means that if you have purchased a brand new car that is from 1998 or newer, your vehicle will have an immobilizer system since it is a technology that has been running for more than 20 years.

This feature has been a huge help in reducing car theft, as well as prevents cars from being “hot wired” following a break in (you know, what you see in the movies when the good guy out of nowhere turns the vehicle on using the cables and the power of friendship).

When you insert your digitally coded key into the ignition, your ECU will read the transponder chip code, which is like your car’s password. The ECU will then activate the fuel system and ignition circuit to turn the vehicle on. If the transponder chip code is incorrect, the vehicle will not start.   

Newer, modern cars have an even more complex engine immobilizer systems that involves two-tier security. This particular system has a single permanent personal code, and a changing second code. Each time the vehicle owner inserts the key into the ignition, the car' immobilizer system changes the second code and stores it in the key. Then, whenever the driver turns on the ignition, the immobilizer system reads the first personal code, and then requests the second rolling code.

If both of these codes are not simultaneously correct, the engine will not start, initiating the immobilizer system. This is a great way to prevent vehicle theft, but can be annoying if you happen to lose your key. Individuals who lose their key must then have a locksmith or authorized dealers do what is known as a “reflash”. During this process, all the data is erased and a new key is prompted with the system.

Prolocksmith is a business located in the great Orlando area that offers services to the Ocala and Orange county in Florida. We have successfully helped replace over 10,000 car keys in Orlando in an efficient but reliable way. Our technicians are up yo date with the best practices and thecnologies to get you back on track in no time. We carry the Pro with us.

Contact us for all of your vehicle key and lock needs. We also have service in spanish, check our car key replacement website in spanish and remove the language barrier.